Become a skilled environmental professional and manage human interaction with the environment
Gain a broad foundation in engineering and enabling sciences, before you choose to specialise your studies in either construction or environment and water.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
Gain a broad foundation in engineering and enabling sciences, before you choose to specialise your studies in either construction or environment and water.
During the program, you develop skills in problem-solving, teamwork and communication, and gain technical, business management and scientific environmental knowledge. Build your expertise in areas including environmental management, planning and restoration, managed ecosystems and marine science.
Earn invaluable work experience, completed over 60 days, examining current engineering professional practice with emphasis on the creative nature of engineering. At the end of your studies you will have the scientific skills needed to make judgements on the conservation and use of Australia's natural ecosystems and resources.
Majors
Construction; Environment and water
Exemption for first year Mathematics
Students who enter the program having achieved a 'Very High Achievement' in Maths C in secondary school will be eligible for an exemption for the courses MTH103 Introduction to Applied Mathematics and MTH104 Introductory Calculus on application to the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering and may substitute two engineering relevant courses in order to fulfil the requirements of the degree.
Post-admission requirements
Students must complete 60 days of suitable field experience.
Career opportunities
You can find employment pathways in Government agencies, construction companies, engineering consultancies, building industry, water supply authorities, mining industry, research organisations. As a specialist in environmental science, you can pursue career paths in environmental management and protection, parks and wildlife, resource management, waste and pollution control, catchment management agencies, local councils and environmental consultancies.
Membership
Graduate membership of Engineers Australia (Professional Engineer) available on individual application; Australian Network for Plant Conservation; Australian Water Association; Ecological Society of Australia; Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand; Australian Marine Sciences Association.
Program structure
Introductory courses (11) 132 units
COR109 Green Justice: Environment and Social Issues
ENG101 Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies
ENG102 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
ENG103 Communication and Thought
ENS103 Introduction to Economics
MTH103 Cell Biology
MTH104 Science Research Methods
SCI102 Accounting for Business
SCI105 Introduction to Informatics
SCI107 Chemistry
SCI110 Introductory Calculus
Developing and Graduate courses (21) 252 units
ENG202 Introduction to Management
ENG211 Business Law and Ethics
ENG302 Discovering Science
ENG312 Introduction to Mathematics
ENG401 Introduction to Applied Mathematics
ENG402 Introduction to Marketing
ENG403 Biodiversity and Ecology
ENG422 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility
ENS221 Communication and Thought
ENS222 Foundations of Engineering
ENS224 Engineering Statics
ENS253 Introduction to the Internet of Things
ENS321 Earth's Surface Processes
ENS325 Introduction to Applied Mathematics
GEO201 Introductory Calculus
GEO302 Biodiversity and Ecology
MTH201 Chemistry
MTH203 Physics
PHY201 Science Research Methods
PLUS select 1 course (12 units) from:
ANM203 Introduction to Engineering Design
SCI202 Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
PLUS select 1 course (12 units) from:
ENS317 Engineering Project Management
ENS330 Soil Mechanics
ENS333 Engineering Project 1
SRP301 Engineering Project 2
WPL310 Engineering Research Methodology
Major studies courses (8) 96 units
Students must select 1 of the following Engineering majors:
Construction major
Environment and Water major
Honours
The Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Honours) may be awarded with Honours. The class of Honours to be awarded to a student is dependent upon:
- the percentage results achieved by study or transfer in eleven courses (132 units) as specified in the table below; and
- the student achieving at least 60% in ENG402 Design of Roads and Drainage.
| Construction Major | Environment & Water Major |
| MTH203 Plant Diversity and Ecology | MTH203 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology |
| ENG302 Soil Properties, Processes and Rehabilitation | ENG302 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology |
| ENG312 Restoration Ecology | ENG312 Population Ecology and Genetics |
| ENG401 Hydrology and Geomorphology | ENG401 Coastal Geomorphology |
| ENG402 Calculus II and Linear Algebra | ENG402 Numerical Analysis |
| ENG403 Fluids, Waves and Thermodynamics | ENG403 Statistics with Teeth: Understanding Ecological Data |
| ENG422 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics | ENG422 Coastal Conservation Planning |
| ENG340 K'gari-Fraser Island Field Studies | ENG330 Special Field Studies Topic |
| ENG404 Special Research Project | ENG411 Workplace Learning I |
| ENG432 Engineering Project 2 | ENG412 Numerical Analysis |
| ENG451 Numerical Analysis | ENG421 Engineering Project Management |
A student must complete a minimum of 8 courses (96 units) in the table and the research project for an honours grade to be awarded.
The minimum levels of achievement normally required for each class of honours are shown in the following table:
| Honours results classification | Overall Percentage attainded in Specified Courses* |
| Honours Class I | 80% - 100% |
| Honours Class IIA | 70% - 79% |
| Honours Class IIB | 60% - 69% |
| Honours Class III | 50% - 59% |
*The percentage result shall be rounded up if ≥ 0.5 or rounded down if < 0.5.
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 480
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 480 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Select a major in either Construction or Environment and Water
- Complete a minimum of 60 days of suitable work experience. Students must meet all costs associated with the acquisition of practical experience to satisfy this requirement
- Apply for your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
- Apply for your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)